Device for packaging machines



Dec. 1, 1959 c. N. ZINKOWSKI 2,914,896

DEVICE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed March 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

BYQQLQW CHARLES MZINKOW-SKI Dec. 1, 1959 c. N. ZINKOWSKI 2,914,896

- DEVICE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed March 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 53l' '33 as 24 37 33 23' 'mifi/ 39 15 54 ill 2 /6 3 36 iil' l l6 49 7 -ilu 54 /Q l E 3:

INVENTOR.

' CHARLES H. ZINKOWKI ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 2,914,896Patented Dec. 1, 1959 DEVICE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Charles N.Zinkowski, Lindenhurst, N.Y., assignor to Republic Aviation Corporation,Farmingdale, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 18, 1959,Serial No. 800,126

' Claims. (Cl. 53-78 This invention relates broadly to packaging orwrapping machines and more particularly to means facilitating the feedoperation of such machines, including a device by which items to bewrapped or packaged are automatically disposed in the required positionfor conveyance to the wrapper at prescribed intervals corresponding tothe wrapping operation of the machine.

The instant invention is especially concerned with wrapping machines forrelatively small and variously shaped parts or items such as, forexample, nuts, bolts, springs, gaskets, etc. These machines commonlycmploy a conveyor upon which the parts to be wrapped are individuallyplaced. The conveyor carries the part to an associated mechanism whereit is packaged and sealed in a wrapper for shipment.

In order to properly space each item to be packaged on the conveyor sothat the timing of its arrival at the Wrapping mechanism corresponds tothe operation of that mechanism, a rotary feed disc has been employed.This disc is mounted for rotation on an underlying stationary tableadjacent the conveyor and is provided with a plurality of properlyspaced slots into each of which the operator places a part. As the discis rotated each part, in turn, as it passes over the conveyor istransferred larmachine. from operation, cleaning of the disc and tablewith appropriate solvents, detergents, etc., and allowing the machinethus cleaned to thoroughly dry prior to its return'to operation. Duringsuch cleaning, the structure, parts, and operating mechanism of themachine are invariably subjected to and alfected by the cleaningmaterials which can and have caused substantial damage thereto.

Moreover, in most of these machines the construction is such that twooperators are required, one at the feed side and the other at the outletside. single operator working at the feed side of the machine mustperiodically leave his station to inspect the outlet side of the machineto insure the proper packaging of the articles.

In addition, the slots provided in the disc have been of a standardconfiguration, i.e., a configuration adapted to take a variety of sizesand shapes of parts. To this end, circularholes have heretofore commonlybeen employed. While the circular configuration has proved to be thebest single shape for the variety of parts to be wrapped, it presentsmany problems, particularly when the part being packaged happens to beoblong, e.g., bolts, springs, etc. Such parts have a tendency duringrotation of the disc to reorient themselves and ultimately Otherwise, a

be disposed upon the conveyor in any number of chance positions, many ofwhich are either not suitable for proper wrapping or prone to fall fromthe conveyor.

The subject invention was conceived as an improvement in the foregoingoperation and proposes broadly a reconstruction of certain components ofthe feed mechanism whereby' each of the above and other shortcomings ofexisting wrapping machines have been eliminated.

To this end, it was conceived to removably mount on the stationarysupporting table a protective plate upon which the rotary disc ismounted during the operation. Thus, upon the completion of a run of wetor greased parts, the disc and protective plate may be removed from themachine and a fresh plate and disc substituted therefor withsubstantially no interruption in production. The removed or dirty discand plate may be set aside for subsequent use in connection with a laterrun of wet parts or cleaned and/or stored for subsequent use.

At the same time, it is proposed that multiple discs be employed, eachhaving a number of identical slots particularly designed and adapted fora specific part to be wrapped. When the part is located in the disc itis held substantially immovable therein during the rotary operation ofthe disc whereby such part is delivered to the conveyor.

In order to permit a single operator stationed at the feed side of themachine to perform the entire wrapping operation without assistance, theinvention further contemplates the provision of means to permit himcontinuously to monitor and thereby control the wrapped packages as theyleave the machine. For this purpose a lamp is mounted at the outlet sideof the machine below and adjacent the packaged articles as they leavethe machine. A mirror is located on the opposite side of and above suchpackages whereby the operator viewing the mirror will see the part orits outline in the package as it leaves the machine, due to themagnitude of illumi nation of the lamp against the package.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be apparent, thisinvention consists in the construction, coinbination and arrangement ofparts all as hereinafter.

more fully disclosed, claimed and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of that portion of a relative? ly commonwrapping machine which the instant invention proposes to modifly toshowthe incorporation of the,

proposed improvements therein by which the entire feed operation isfacilitated;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1 to show the protectiveplate contemplated herein removably disposed and positioned on thesupporting table of the machine in association with the conveyor bywhich the parts to be packaged are delivered to the wrapping that anyone of these and other shapes and sizes maybe used in a particular discto receive and retain a corre sponding part to be handledby the machine;

Fig. 4 is a detail "at a substantially enlarged scale of the presentprotective plate and disc mountedon the supporting table of the feedmechanism .illustratedin Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a detail in elevation of the coacting rollers of the wrappingand sealing mechanism of the machine; Referring more particularly to thedrawings, thev wrapping machine illustrated and representative of thegeneral type of machine which the present invention proposes to improvecomprises a' stationary base 10 in which the operating machinery isenclosed. At one end of this base is mounted an upstanding frame orsupport 11 at the outer end of which is connected an adjustableextension 12 carrying a freely rotatable roller 13. A spool of wrappingpaper 14 is adapted to be mounted on the roller 13.

A plurality of rollers similar in every respect to the roller 13 ismounted on and carried by the support 11 in spaced parallel relation oneto the other and to the roller 13. The paper 14 from its spool passesaround each of the rollers 15 in the conventional manner to facilitateits unrestricted movement in a continuous sheet 16 from the spool to theassociated wrapping or packaging mechanism 17 carried by the support .11adjacent its lower or fixed end.

Also being delivered to the wrapping mechanism 17 is a continuous sheetof wrapping paper 18 from a second spool 19. This spool of paper 19 ismounted on a roller like 13 carried by the base 10 at the opposite endthereof with reference to the support 11. One or more intermediaterollers 15' equivalent to the rollers 15 are mounted on and carried bythe base each in parallel position relative to the other and to thespool 19 over which the sheet 18 passes and is fed into the wrappingmechanism 17.

More specifically, a roller 15' is disposed in alignment with and spacedfrom the inlet to the wrapping mechanism 17. The sheet v18, therefore,extends from the spool 19 around the roller 15 and into the wrappingmechanism 17, that portion of the sheet 18 between the roller 15 and thewrapping mechanism 17 being disposed in a horizontal plane. The portion18' of the sheet 18 thereby constitutes a belt or conveyor for thesuccessive parts to be wrapped, as will become more apparent. Suitablesupporting structure 20 carried by and extending from the base 10 may beemployed to mount the roller or rollers 15.

The wrapping mechanism includes a pair of parallel, vertically alignedrollers 21, each mounted on an independent shaft 22 carried by thesupport 11. Corresponding portions of the surfaces of the rollers 21 areformed or otherwise provided with medial recesses or pockets 23, thepockets of one roller being adapted to align with a pocket of the otherroller. Thus, the companion pockets of the rollers 21 cooperate toreceive and permit the free passage therethrough of a part or group ofparts being wrapped. The remaining surfaces, i.e., the surfaces of therollers 21 defining the pockets 23, are tangent to and in abutment with.each other. The rollers 21 are driven by suitable mechanism, which perse forms no part of the present invention, in opposite directionswhereby the sheets 16 and 18 are withdrawn or pulled from theirrespective spools 14 and 19 into and through the wrapping mechanism 17with their longitudinal edges aligned. To this end a gear 24 mounted onand carried by each shaft 22 is connected to the operating or drivemechanism within the base 10 by suitable means, such as a gear train orthe like. 8

The paper 14 and 19 commonly employed in this machine includes a coatingor liner on one face thereof of thin polyethylene, vinyl, or equivalentsynthetic resin material. The sheets 16 and 18 are so mounted on theirrespective spools 14 and 19 that the lined or plasticized faces thereofare disposed adjacent to one another. Heat is applied to one of therollers 21 in any one of a variety of ways, usually electrically, sothat when the sheets 16 and 18 move through the rollers as abovedescribed the passage of heat from the hot to the cold roller fuses thatportion of the plasticized sheets between the abutting surfaces of therollers 21. The sheets are thereby sealed one to the other to form anumber of successive packages 23' having a central compartment for thepart corresponding to the pockets 23.

Mounted adjacent and to one side of the conveyor sheet 18 is a worksurface 28 defined on its outer sides by an upstanding flange 29. Thesupports 20 mounted on and carried by the base 10 together withappropriate arms or brackets 31 connected between such supports 20 andthe surface 28 serve to secure the surface to the machine. The parts tobe wrapped are disposed on this surface 28 and the flange 29 preventstheir falling therefrom.

Adjacent the edge of the surface 28 near the conveyor sheet 18 is avertical shaft 32 which extends from the base 10 and projects above thesurface 28. The drive mechanism located in the base 10 already referredto for movement of the rollers 21 is also operatively connected to theshaft 32 and serves to rotate it in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2. Theinterconnection of the rollers 21 and shaft 32 in this way causes theircoordinated or synchronized rotation for reasons to become moreapparent.

Overlying the surface 28 and immovably secured thereto by a plurality ofbolts or pins 33 is a stationary supporting table 34 which extendsbeyond one edge of the surface 28 to thereby overlie the conveyor sheet18'. The table 34 is generally circular and is pierced at its center bya hole 35 for the passage therethrough of the shaft 32. A portion orsegment of the table 34 adjacent the periphery thereof is removed toprovide a radial edge 36 overlying and transversely disposed of theconveyor sheet 18 and a second radial edge 37 at right angles tothefirst on the near side thereof with reference to the rollers 21.

The foregoing describes in essence the structure of a wrapping orpackaging machine commonly in use. A rotary disc having circular holestherein adjacent its periphery is mounted on and keyed to the shaft 32for rotation therewith. An operator or workman standing at the surface28 can place the individual parts to be wrapped in the holes of the discon the table 34. Rotation of the disc moves the parts to the edge 36where they fall from the table 34 onto the underlying conveyor strip 18which conveys them to and through the rollers 21 Where they are wrappedand sealed prior to shipment and/ or storage.

This conventional machine is further provided with a pair of spacedparallelly disposed rollers 38 adjacent to and in alignment with therollers 21 to receive the successive packages 23' as they leave themachine and direct them away from the machine. This prevents theirtumbling and falling into and between the machine structure and base 10.

The present invention proposes to modify a substantial portion of thefeeding mechanism set forth above and to materially improve andfacilitate the entire operation of the type of wrapping machine hereinconsidered. To this end, a number of upright studs 39 are integrallyformed on or otherwise connected to the table 34. An intermediate plate40 substantially identical in area and shape to the supporting table 34is provided. This plate 40 is formed with a corresponding number ofrecesses or perforations, one adapted to receive each pin or bolt 39projecting from the table 34 whereby the plate 40 and table are disposedin face to face abutment with the corresponding edges thereofregistering one with the other. The length of the pins 39 is such thatthey terminate below the upper surface of the plate 40 when operativelydisposed on the table 34.

A plurality or series of discs 41 each having a diameter substantiallyequal to the table 34 and intermediate plate 40 are provided in lieu ofthe standard disc heretofore employed. Each of these discs 41 is piercedby a plurality of slots, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d or 41e adjacent itsperipheral edge, each slot in the same disc being identicalto the otherslots of that disc. For simplicity of illustration, a single disc 41with a variety of such slots is illustrated in Fig. 3. The slot 41 isespecially adapted for gaskets or circular objects, while the slots 41aand 41d are adapted to handle elongated as well as circular objects.Slot 41b, on the other hand, is especially adapted for square orrectangular items, and slots 41c and 41a oblong items to be disposed onthe conveyor 18' and delivered to the rollers 21 at various angles.

At its center each disc 41 is pierced by a hole 42 substantially equalin diameter to the shaft 32 which is adapted to pass therethrough.Adjacent the hole 42 each disc 41 is further provided with keyholes orslots 43. These holes 43 correspond in size and location to coacting ormating keys or studs 44 carried by and depending from one face of acollet 45. The collet 45 is pierced centrally by a hole 46 adapted toreceive the reduced threaded end 32 of the shaft 32 which projectsthrough the collet 45 for cooperation with a nut 47 in the usualfashion. The collet 45 is further provided with a central dependingboss-like bearing 48 having a diameter equal to that of the shaft 32.

Thus, when an intermediate plate 40 is disposed on the table 34 with thestuds 39 of the table seated in the corresponding holes of the plate,the plate 40 is secured to the table against relative rotatary movement.A selected disc 41 is then disposed on the shaft 32 with its lower facein substantial abutment against the adjacent face of the plate 40. Thecollet 45 is then placed on the shaft with its keys 44 in alignment withand projecting into the holes 43 of the disc 41. At the same time,hearing 48 of the collet 45 extends into the central hole 42 in the disc41 and abuts the edge surface of the shaft 32 defining the reduced end32 of the shaft. Tightening of the nut 47 on the threaded end 32'thereby secures the disc 41 to the shaft 32 for rotation therewithrelative to the stationary table 34 and plate 40.

With the selected disc 41 thus assembled, operation of the machine motorand drive mechanism rotates the rollers 21 (Fig. l) in oppositedirections and the disc 41 relative to the stationary plate 40 (Fig. 2)in a clockwise direction. The parts to be wrapped, for example, bolts,are placed by the operator one in each of the slots 41c. As the disc 41thus rotates, the slots 41c pass one by one over the edge 36 of theunderlying plate 40 and are deposited onto the conveyor sheet 18' whichis con-,

currently being withdrawn from the roll 19 by the rotation of therollers 21.

A removable ramp 49 is connected to the plate 40 adjacent the edge 36 tofacilitate the transfer of each part or bolt from the surface of theplate to the lower surface of the sheet 18. To this end a rod 51 isfixedly secured to the edge of the plate 40 by any known means to bedisposed parallel to the edge 36. The ramp 49 terminates in a curled orlooped edge portion 52 adapted to slide over the rod 51 with the ramp 49forming a substantial continuation of the upper surface of the plate 40at one side and resting on the sheet 18' at its other side. Ramps 49 ofvarious slopes or angles depending upon the particular item or partbeing wrapped may thereby be employed to maintain the part properlyoriented in the transfer from plate surface to conveyor surface. Eachramp 49 is also tapered toward its lower end and defined on opposedsides by the flanges 52' for this purpose.

The edge 37 of the plate 40 and underlying table 34 is disposed inspaced vertical relation to the conveyor strip 18' and the underlyingportion of the surface 28 is removed as at 53. One end of a duct orchute 54 is disposed adjacent the conveyor sheet 18 in the space 53 toreceive parts falling therefrom inwardly of the machine. At its otherend the chute 54 terminates in an outlet at the top of base and a bin ortray 55 defines a localized area of the base adjacent the chute outlet52.

It has been learned in practice that the majority of parts falling fromthe conveyor sheet 18 do so at the transfer point between the plate 40and the conveyor 18' The chute 54 is disposed adjacent-the conveyorsheet 18' in alignment with the path of rotation of the disc 41 wherebyparts tumbling at the ramp 49 will be carried or pushed by the disc asit continues to rotate and will fall into the chute 54.

As the parts to be wrapped are thus "delivered from the disc 41 to theconveyor sheet 18', the rollers 21 pull both sheets 16 and 18 from theirrespective spools 14 and 19 between the rollers 21 and the part restingon the sheet 18' passes into the recesses 23 between the rollers. Aseach part passes between the rollers 21 the flow of heat from the hot tothe cold roller 21 seals the part between the adjacent sheets of paper16 and 18 and the part thus packaged leaves the wrapping mechanism 17through the rollers 38.

On the outlet side of the wrapping mechanism 17 adjacent the rollers 38a guide or plate 56 is disposed at a selected angle to supplement theoperation of the rollers 38 in directing the packages away from themachine to prevent an entanglement thereby. At the same time, this plate56 is employed for another purpose. To this end, the plate 56 isfabricated of transparent material such as, for example, clear Lucite,and a lamp 57 is disposed adjacent the under surface thereof. The lamp57 is the socalled goose-neck type, i.e., mounted on the end of andcarried by a flexible arm 58 connected at its opposite end to the base10. A reflector or mirror 59 is mountedon the end of a fixed bracket 60connected to and projecting from one of the uprights 11. The mirror 59is adjustable through a ball joint socket 61 whereby the operator mayposition it to the suitable angle whereby he may without leaving hisstation at the feed side of the machine view the several packaged partsleaving the wrapping mechanism. Illumination of the lamp 57 is such thatit passes through packages and thereby outlines the parts therein.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the operation of the existingwrapping machine of the type described has been materially improvedhereby. By the provision of the removable plate 40 fixedly secured tothe table 34 no loss of the machine from production occurs when a run ofgreased parts is followed by a run of dry parts. In this case it isnecessary only that the nut 47 be removed from the end 32 of the shaft32 whereupon the collet 45 and disc 41 are removable from the assembly.A fresh plate 40 and/or disc 41 may be thereafter disposed on the shaftand secured thereto by the collet 45 and nut 47 as before.

Moreover, with the plate 56, lamp 57, and mirror 59 properly adjusted, asingle operator feeding parts from the work surface 28 to the rotarydisc 41 has a complete view of the packaged parts leaving the wrappingmechanism 17. It is, therefore, possible for him to constantly inspecteach package 23' leaving the machine with no interruption in the feedingoperation to insure the proper wrapping for shipment of each parttherein.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga stationary supporting table with a peripheral edge portion overlying aconveyor and a portion of said edge portion removed, of a plateconforming substantially-in shape and area to said table, releasableengagement means between the table and said plate to secure them againstrelative movement in face to face abutment with their edges aligned, anda rotary disc overlying and in substantial face to face abutment withsaid plate, said disc being pierced adjacent its peripheral edge by anumber of holes each adapted to confine a part to be packaged resting onthe plate between its edges during rotation of the disc whereby saidpart is deposited on the conveyor when it overlies the removed portionof the table and plate during its rotation.

2. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga stationary supporting table partially overlying a conveyor and definedby an edge transversely disposed relative to the conveyor, of a plateconforming substantially in shape and area to said table, releasable Iengagement means between the table and said plate to transverse edgeaforesaidand conveyor, and a rotary disc overlying and in substantial:face to face abutment with said plate, said disc being pierced adjacentits peripheral edge by a number of holes each adapted to confine a partto be packaged resting on the plate between its edges during rotation ofthe disc whereby said part is delivered to the ramp and therebydeposited onto the conveyor.

3. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga stationary supporting table with a peripheral edge portion overlying aconveyor and a portion of said edge portion removed, of a number ofplates each conforming substantially in shape and area to said table andhaving a plurality of openings in one of its faces, a correspondingnumber of upstanding fixed studs on the top of said table, one adaptedto project into each opening in one of said plates whereby the table andthat plate are secured against relative movement in face to faceabutment with their edges aligned, and a series of interchangeablerotary discs each adapted to be disposed one at a time on and insubstantial face to face abutment with said plate, said discs beingpierced adjacent their peripheral edges by a number of holes adapted toconfine parts to be packaged resting on the plate when that disc isdisposed in abutment with the plate as aforesaid whereby said parts aredeposited on the conveyor at predetermined spaced intervals duringrotation of the disc when the holes therein are located over the removedportion of the table and plate.

4. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga stationary supporting table partially overlying a conveyor andterminating in an edge transversely disposed relative to the conveyor,of a plate conforming substantially in shape and area to said table andpierced by a pair of holes, an upstanding fixed stud on the top of saidtable complemental to each hole in said plate for projection thereinwhereby the table and plate are secured against relative movement inface to face abutment with their edges aligned, and a rotary discdisposed in substantial face to face abutment with said plate, said discbeing pierced adjacent its peripheral edge by a number of holes eachadapted to confine a part to be packaged resting on the plate betweenits edges whereby each part is moved by rotation of the disc over thetransverse edge of the table and plate aforesaid and is deposited on theconveyor at predetermined spaced intervals.

5. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga generally circular, stationary, supporting table with a segmentadjacent its peripheral edge removed creating radial edges, one disposedtransversely of an underlying conveyor and the other parallel to andvertically spaced from said conveyor, of a plate conformingsubstantially in shape and area to said table, releasable engagementmeans between the table and said plate to secure them against relativemovement in face to face abutment with their edges aligned, ramp meanscontiguously disposed between the transverse radial edge aforesaid andthe surface of the conveyor, a chute having an inlet opening at one ofits ends adjacent the conveyor in the space between the conveyor and theparallel edge aforesaid and an outlet at its other end opening into aremote confined area below the table, and a rotary disc overlying and insubstantial face to face abutment with said plate, said disc beingpierced adjacent its peripheral edge by a number of holes each adaptedto engage a part to be packaged resting on the plate during rotation ofthe disc and convey said part to the ramp for delivery thereby to theconveyor, such parts as might remain in the plane of the disc beingmoved thereby to the inlet of said chute for delivery thereby to theconfined area aforesaid.

6. In combination with a packaging machine of the type described havinga generally circular, stationary, supporting table with a peripheraledge portion overlying a conveyor and a portion of said edge portionremoved to create a first radial'edge transversely disposed relative tothe conveyor and a second radial edge parallelly disposed relative tothe conveyor, of a plurality of plates each conforming substantially inshape and area to said table, releasable engagement means between thetable and any one of said plates to secure the table and selected plateagainst relative movement in face to face abutment with their edgesaligned, and a plurality of rotary discs each designed and adapted to beoperatively disposed on said plate in substantial face to face abutmenttherewith, each of said discs being pierced adjacent its peripheral edgeby a number of holes corresponding to a part to be packaged, the severalholes of one disc having a different size and shape from the holes ofthe other discs whereby a selected disc operatively disposed asaforesaid moves corresponding parts placed in its holes and resting onthe plate upon rotation to said first radial edge and onto theunderlying conveyor.

7. In combination with the wrapping mechanism of a packaging machinehaving a stationary supporting table with a peripheral edge portionoverlying a conveyor for the delivery of parts to be packaged to thewrapping mechanism, a portion of said edge portion being removed, of aplate conforming substantially in shape and area to said table,releasable engagement means between the table and plate to secure themagainst relative movement in face to face abutment with their edgesaligned, a rotary disc disposed on and in substantial face to faceabutment with said plate, said disc being pierced adjacent itsperipheral edge by a number of holes adapted to confine parts to bepackaged resting on the plate whereby said parts are deposited on theconveyor at predetermined spaced intervals during rotation of the discwhen the holes therein are located over the removed portion of the tableand plate for delivery by the conveyor to and through the wrappingmechanism, a translucent plate.

disposed at the outlet side of the wrapping mechanism to support andguide the wrapped parts as they leave said mechanism, illumination meansadjacent said translucent plate, and reflection means in opposition tosaid illumination means relative to the translucent plate whereby thewrapped parts are viewable from a remote location.

8. In combination with the wrapping mechanism of a packaging machinehaving an upright rotary shaft, a stationary supporting table at rightangles to and pierced by said shaft and defined by an edge portionoverlying a conveyor for the delivery of parts to be packaged to thewrapping mechanism, said edge portion terminating in an edgetransversely disposed relative to the conveyor, of a number of plateseach conforming substantially in shape and area to said table andadapted to overlie the table in face to face abutment with the edgesthereof aligned, releasable engagement means securing one of said platesat a time to the table when positioned as aforesaid, a series ofinterchangeable discs each pierced adjacent its peripheral edge by holescorresponding in size and shape to parts to be packaged and adapted tobe disposed on and in substantial face to face abutment with said plate,the holes in each of said discs being adapted to confine parts restingon the plate when that disc is disposed on the plate as aforesaid, andreleasable connection means between the shaft and said disc for therotation thereof in unison whereby the parts in said holes are depositedon the conveyor at predetermined spaced intervals during rotation of thedisc when passing over the transverse edge aforesaid.

9. In combination with a packaging machine having a stationarysupporting table with a peripheral edge portion overlying a conveyor anda portion of said edge portion removed, of a plate conformingsubstantially in shape and area to said table, releasable engagementmeans between the table and plate to secure them against relativeangular movement with their edges aligned, a disc overlying and insubstantial face to face abutment with said plate, said disc beingpierced adjacent its peripheral edge by a number of holes each adaptedto confine a part to be packaged resting on the plate between its edges,a rotary shaft piercing said table, plate and disc, and a collet fixedlysecured to the outer end of said shaft and engaging the disc for therotation thereof whereby each part aforesaid is deposited on theconveyor when it overlies the removed portion of the table and plateduring such rotation.

10. In combination with the wrapping mechanism of a packaging machinehaving a vertical rotary shaft, a stationary horizontal supporting tablepierced by said shaft and defined by an edge overlying and transverselydisposed relafive to a conveyor for the delivery of parts to be packagedto the wrapping mechanism, of an independent, removable plate conformingsubstantially in shape and area to said table and overlying the tablewith the edges thereof aligned, projections carried by the tableengageable with complementary means carried by the plate when positionedas aforesaid, an independent, removable disc overlying said plate andpierced adjacent its peripheral edge by holes corresponding in size andshape to parts to be packaged to thereby confine such parts resting onthe plate, the plate and disc each being pierced by a hole for thepassage therethrough of the upper end of said shaft, a removable colletfixedly secured to said shaft, and complementary, coacting engagementscarried by the collet and disc whereby the disc rotates with the shaftand the parts in said holes are deposited on the conveyor when passingover the transverse edge aforesaid during such rotation.

No references cited.

